Week of October 1, "Replay" scavenger hunt

Jewish boys with Yarmulkes

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to find images of topics mentioned in "Replay".

1. Use Google images to find pictures of the following things, and paste what you find into a document in Google Docs (call it Blog 3):

• yarmulke
• courtyard
• jumprope
• Holocaust

2. Use Google to find information about the following and write what you find in your Blog 3 document in Google Docs:

• The Holocaust
• Anti-semitism

3.  Post your Blog 3 document to the comments section of our blog.

4. Read another classmate's post and tell him/her what you learned.

5. Congratulations to our students for their excellent presentation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Tahmid, Nathaly, Domenica, and Michelle presenting at the Met

Here is what another teacher said about them:

Dear Ms. Mann,

I am on my way home from the Open House for Educators at the Met with one of my colleagues. I must tell you how blown away the both of us were by your students. 

First of all, the students projects were very well done. But then their presentations and enthusiasm for their work, their school, and their teachers was awe inspiring. I am not an effusive person and I don't often send out emails like this. I thought it was important for you to know how delightful it was to talk with your students and to hear their stories. 

Sincerely,
Lisa Federici
Art Teacher
Kennedy High School - Bellmore

Week of September 24, "Passing" scavenger hunt

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to find images of topics mentioned in "Passing".

1. Use Google images to find pictures of the following things, and paste what you find into a document in Google Docs (call it Blog 2):

From "Passing":

• cabaret
• porter
• South Side (Chicago)
• musical revues

2. Use Google to find information about the following and write what you find in your Blog 2 document in Google Docs:

"Passing"

• Jim Crow Laws
• Segregation
• The Great Depression

3. Post your Blog 2 document to the comments section of our blog.

4. Read another classmate's post and tell him/her what you learned.

Week of September 17, Welcome to our Class Blog

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to become familiar with using a class blog.

Each week we will be using our blog to share our ideas about the literature we read and the themes we discuss in class.

Requirements:

• Headphones
• Gmail account (click here to get a gmail account) (make sure you choose a user name and password that you will remember because you will have to sign in often)
• Google docs account (comes with gmail and is free)
• Internet at home

I will expect you to finish the assignments on this blog each week. If you do not, you will have to finish them for homework.

This week, please use google docs to answer the questions below:

1. How do you feel about using technology (computers, internet, smart boards, etc.) in theclassroom and why?
2. What experience do you have using blogs as part of your classes?
3. Why is it important to learn to use a blog for our class?
4. How will using this blog help you in the future as a college student and when you are aprofessional adult?

Once you have answered the questions below, please paste your answer into a comment to our blog. Be sure to put your first and last name on your post so we know who you are. Please do not use a nickname because this can be confusing.

Then, read two classmate's comments and write a comment to them answering the questions below:

1. What do you like about their blog post and why?


2. What did you find interesting and why?

Week of May 15, Letters to John Steinbeck

Hi everyone,

Today we will write only the body of a letter to John Steinbeck, telling him what we think about his novel Of Mice and Men.

Type your letters in Google Docs, saved as "letter to John Steinbeck".

In paragraph one, please introduce yourself and explain why you are writing him (to tell him your reaction to his novel).

In paragraph two, please tell him three things you liked and/or learned from his novel.  Also tell him your favorite characters and why.

In paragraph three, please ask him two questions and tell him two things you would like for him to know.

Post this letter to our blog as a comment.

Week of May 1, Quote Sandwiches

Hi everyone,

This week we will be thinking deeply about Chapter 4.

In Google Docs, please answer the questions below as quote sandwiches.

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the question/topic

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from the story/article that proves the answer to your question

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving the answer to your question/topic.

1. Create a quote sandwich about Crooks. Copy one quote that shows you about his personality and explain what we learn about him/her.
2. Create a quote sandwich about how another character feels about Crooks. Copy one quote that shows you how this character feels about Crooks and explain what we learn about him/her.
3. When you finish, post your answers to our blog.
4. Finally, read other students' posts and write what you learn from them.

Week of April 24, Chapter 3 Quote Sandwiches

Hi everyone,

This week we will be thinking deeply about Chapter 3.

In Google Docs, please answer the questions below as quote sandwiches.

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the question/topic

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from the story/article that proves the answer to your question

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving the answer to your question/topic.

1. Copy one quote from pages 38-43 that shows something about George or Slim’s personality. Explain what we learn about this character from the quote you chose.
2. Do you think that Carlson did the right thing in pages 44-49? Why or why not? Write a paragraph that explains your opinion, using a quote from these pages.
3. Choose any character from pages 53-56. Copy one quote that shows you about his personality and explain what we learn about him.
4. When you finish, post your answers to our blog.
5. Finally, read other students' posts and write what you learn from them.

April 17, Quote Sandwiches and Inferences

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to continue to understand the characters in Of Mice and Men.

In Google Docs, create a document called "Character Quote Sandwiches"

Pick a character from chapter 2 (Swamper, Boss, Curley, Curley's wife, Slim, Carlson).

Write paragraph for the character, as a quote sandwich, following this structure:

•Top slice of bread = your thoughts, beliefs and ideas about the character.

•In the middle is the meat = the quote from the story/article that teaches us about this character.

•Bottom slice of bread = “this quotes shows us that…” Concluding sentences, again proving what you believe about this character.

• When you are finished, post your quote sandwiches to our blog.

• Finally, read the poem below and write another post in which you explain the connection between this poem and Of Mice and Men:

Alone by Maya Angelou

1. Lying, thinking

2. Last night

3. How to find my soul a home

4. Where water is not thirsty

5. And bread loaf is not stone

6. I came up with one thing

7. And I don't believe I'm wrong

8. That nobody,

9. But nobody

10. Can make it out here alone.

11. Alone, all alone

12. Nobody, but nobody

13. Can make it out here alone.

14. There are some millionaires

15. With money they can't use

16. Their wives run round like banshees

17. Their children sing the blues

18. They've got expensive doctors

19. To cure their hearts of stone.

20. But nobody

21. No, nobody

22. Can make it out here alone.

23. Alone, all alone

24. Nobody, but nobody

25. Can make it out here alone.

26. Now if you listen closely

27. I'll tell you what I know

28. Storm clouds are gathering

29. The wind is gonna blow

30. The race of man is suffering

31. And I can hear the moan,

32. 'Cause nobody,

33. But nobody

34. Can make it out here alone.

35. Alone, all alone

36. Nobody, but nobody

37. Can make it out here alone.